Hi guys, I'm revisiting an idea that I was interested in some time ago, but gave up. I would like to run a second keyboard so I can use it as an overhead panel for stuff like wipers, lights, etc for the NGX. I have had zero success at the moment, but understand that I can utilise a second keyboard by running HID macros? I have downloaded the app, but thought I'd try running it by soem of you guys before I go ahead. I have the licenced version of FSUIPC. BTW, is this the only way of running a second keyboard, or is there a very easy alternative that I can use. Is it easy enough to run HID macros? Cheers fellas...

Anyone?

No one at all?

If you are using a separate monitor you might want to consider an alternative. There is an excellent little program called INPUT DIRECTOR (don't have the URL on this pc) that lets you use both mouse and keyboard on several monitors. I have been using it for several months on a networked pc and it works flawlessly. I have Active Sky, VATSIM, Plan-G, etc on the remote and operate all from the same kband mouse that are used on the FSX pc.

Not sure how your rig is set up but maybe it would serve your purpose. Good hunting

Neal H

If you are using a separate monitor you might want to consider an alternative. There is an excellent little program called INPUT DIRECTOR (don't have the URL on this pc) that lets you use both mouse and keyboard on several monitors. I have been using it for several months on a networked pc and it works flawlessly. I have Active Sky, VATSIM, Plan-G, etc on the remote and operate all from the same kband mouse that are used on the FSX pc.

Not sure how your rig is set up but maybe it would serve your purpose. Good hunting

Neal H

 

Hi Neal, many thanks for your advice. I'll go hunting, cheers.

Rockliffe

 

I'm taking a slightly simpler approach, based on an idea from a company called Roger Dodger Aviation. I have two dedicated converted keyboards, one mounted above the monitor, one below. The most commonly used control keys are remapped to single keypresses (no Shift- Ctrl- or Alt- combos) and the mappings split between upper and lower keyboards according to function. So things that would typically be on an overhead panel like APU, fuel flow or light controls are on the top keyboard, autopilot, coms and nav controls are on the lower. Each remapped key is labelled and unused keys are either blacked out, covered over (as per RDA) or removed (which is what I've done)

 

 

 

 

On the plus side, this approach is dead easy to implement, handles about 90% of the things you need to fly a default bird and reaching up or across to hit a key/button is a definite step up over hunting for default key combinations. With the unused buttons removed, they also look less like computer peripherals and more like techo-panels.

 

On the negative side, you can't have the same key active on both keyboards doing different functions, so you're limited in the number of different functions you can handle. If you need more buttons than one keyboard (split between two) will provide then HIDMacro and the like is the way ahead.

 

If you're running a complex payware bird like the NGX and just need more buttons, then this approach might not be for you, but you were asking for different ideas so I thought I'd chip in.

 

All the best

 

Dr V

Cheers Dr V, your suggestion seems the easiest solution. I will consider all my options... cheers.

You could use a usb keypad which will give you 16 programmable buttons. Josh

Dr V, I too have used the roger dodger keyboard videos and printed key stickers. My problem is getting the new assignments for the second keyboard to stay at the assignments that I assign them. I am using the general aviation keyboard for now. It will work while I am logged on to fsx and flying, but when I shut down fsx, boom, all of my work reassigning key strokes has defaulted back to fsx keystrokes and the second keyboard assignments have diasppeared.

I tried eliminating the fsx keyboard assignments and just leaving the second keyboard assignments, but again back to the fsx default. Can you help me figure out what is happening. I have been having trouble with cdt crashes and am about to uninstall fsx and reinstall it. It may crash after 15 minutes or 30 minutes. Firehawk 44 has been helping me. Any thing you can furnish will be appreciated. Thanks

i am just now getting back on to forums.  My problem with the second keyboard was solved when I uninstalled fsx and reinstalled the gold edition.  The second keyboard works fine from the Roger Dodger company.  Still having trouble with crashes to desktop when flying.  Have decided that need to takeoff from airport and forget about long flights and move aircraft closer to destination airport to eliminate losing all of that time.  Hope this helps